Ever since I was a young adult in college, I thought it would be incredible to teach in a school of higher learning. It’s not that I wanted to be called “Professor Ellis” (titles don’t mean much to me). I simply found it intellectually stimulating to think I could teach a biblical course to adults that went much deeper than in most other settings.

It was on my bucket list. But, honestly, as I approached my 50s, I had lost hope of ever teaching in an accredited (legitimate) Bible college. However, out of the blue, Dr. Kinchen (former president of the Baptist College of Florida) called me in the Spring of 2019 and asked to take me out to lunch. He drove to Polk City, and we ate at Hungry Howie’s as he asked if I would be interested in teaching some courses for the Baptist College of Florida. They were opening up a new Lakeland campus, and he wanted me to be a part of it.

To say that I felt honored and elated is an understatement! I prayed about it and told him I would be honored to teach some courses at the BCF. I was ready to get started…

… and then Covid19 happened.

It wasn’t until February 2021 that Dr. Jumper, the BCF Academic Dean, e-mailed to ask if I would teach Old Testament Survey for the Fall 2021 semester. I ran it by Kim and then excitedly agreed.

That Fall, I enjoyed teaching a college-level class on Old Testament Survey. It forced me to dig deeper to increase my own knowledge. It forced me to know the material so well that I could unpack it in a way that helped the students to understand the Old Testament better and develop a greater love and respect for it.

It was to be expected that I would follow that semester by teaching a New Testament Survey course (Spring 2022). Once again, teaching the course helped me so much because it forced me to dig deeper into the content so that I could make it rewarding for the students.

But it was wearing on me. My schedule was packed. I was busy doing my pastorly duties 5-6 days a week and away from the house at least 4 evenings a week. I promised myself that I would not teach another college course with my current workload as a pastor.

Fast forward to the summer of 2023. I have broken that promise.

A few weeks ago, Dr. Jumper contacted me. The BCF Lakeland campus is closing because of lower-than-expected attendance. But they needed to provide one more semester of classes for the students who were already in the system. He told me that he had lined up a professor to teach Biblical Hermeneutics (principles of in-depth Bible study) but the professor backed out. He needed to fill that spot because classes would start on August 15, less than two months away. I felt like I couldn’t tell him no.

So, I’m going to be busy two nights a week as I teach Biblical Hermeneutics (Fall 2023). I’m looking forward to diving deep into the subject so that I can teach it to my students. But I also expect that I will make another promise at the end of this semester to never teach another class at a college while filling my role as a family man and pastor.

Let’s see if I can keep that promise this time. LOL

Oh, by the way, if you’re looking for a great college experience with a vast assortment of degrees that holds to a Biblical worldview, check out the Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, Florida at www.baptistcollege.edu.